Glärnisch is a limestone massif with three main summits situated in Central Switzerland near the town of Glarus. It can be noticed over a long distance as it towers up to 2500 meters above the Swiss Midlands. The exceptional panorama covers Tödi and the Bernese Alps, Swiss Jura, Black Forest, Lake Zurich, Lake Constance and parts of Vorarlberg in Austria. Two main ridges are surrounding the Glärnisch Glacier which flows in south western direction. Ruchen (2901 m) is the highest peak of the northern ridge and the easiest one to climb. The southern ridge with Bächistock (2914 m) is only a little bit higher. Both ridges meet at the Schwander Ridge from where Vrenelisgärtli - the most frequented summit of Glärnisch - is climbed. The well known snow field on top of Vrenelisgärtli disappeared in the summer of 2003 for the first time in its recent history.

The ascent route starts at the western end of Klöntal Lake and leads through the Rossmatt Valley until to the Glärnisch Hut (1990 m - approx. 1100 m difference from the lake) from where one or more of the three summits can be climbed the next day.

On clear days Glärnisch can even be seen from Lake Constance which is about 90 km away (right of the center). The highest peaks in this area are Tödi (3614 m - right) as well as Hausstock (3158 m) and Bifertenstock (3420 m) on the left side.

Vrenelisgärtli and Ruchen both linked by a snow ridge as well as Vorderglärnisch in front of them seen from the summit of Mürtschenstock. The highest peak in the Glarus area is Tödi (left - in the background).

The impressive south face shows a characteristic formation of bands and several snow fields. To the left Bächistock (2914 m) and the ridge leading to Vrenelisgärtli. The photo was taken from the artificial lake at Mettmeralp.

Above the Glärnisch Hut one steps onto the flat glacier which is about 2 km long. It is embedded into two mountain ranges culminating in Ruchen (2901 m - north) and Bächistock (2914 m - south).
The Schwander Ridge is connecting Ruchen and Bächistock, the main summit of the Glärnisch massif. The snow ridge on the left side leads to Vrenelisgärtli (2904 m) and is reached climbing down a groove (not visible in this picture) for about 20 m.

The rock spur of Ruchen (2901 m) the easiest to climb peak of the Glärnisch massif.
View from the top of Ruchen in south western direction. The significant peak just above the center is Bös Fulen (2801m). In the background from left to right: Claridenstock, Schärhorn and Schächentaler Windgällen and behind them the Bernese Alps with Finsteraarhorn.

Summit rest on top of Vrenelisgärtli at 2904 m. From left to right the highest peaks of the Glarus Alps: Bifertenstock, Tödi, Claridenstock and Scherhorn. Vrenelisgärtli is the most worthwhile panorama summit of the Glärnisch massif and is covered by a conspicuous triangular snow field.
The panorama in north-eastern direction starts with Vorderglärnisch (2327m) which is still part of the Glärnisch massif. The significant peak in the middle is Mürtschenstock, behind of it the Säntis massif and to the right Rote Wand in the Lechtal Alps which already belong to Austria.